Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Monday morning hearing on the "right to work" amendment brought more than 1,000 labor supporters to the Capitol, but it also attracted a number of candidates who oppose it. All three DFL candidates for Congress in the 8th District were there (Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark, and Rick Nolan) talking to folks. There were also a number of candidates for state legislative seats there as well. Here are three that I spotted. I'm sure there were many others that I missed.

Jason Isaacson - candidate for District 42B Representative

Isaacson is running for an open seat vacated by Rep. Bev Scalze, who is running for the open District 42 Senate seat. He's an Education Minnesota member, and teaches communication classes at Century College in White Bear Lake. A veteran of several campaigns over the last twelve years, Isaacson said “I am running for this seat because I am concerned about the future of education in our state. I believe education is a solution and a resource to solve many of the problems our state is facing. For this reason we need to be investing in it, not stealing from it to create “fake” budget surpluses. I’m vying for the DFL endorsement at the Senate District convention on March 31st in hopes of contributing to the DFL’s efforts to win back the state house.” Isaacson faces off against DFL House staffer Peter Strohmeier and Roseville City Council member Tammy Pust for the endorsement at the District 42 convention at the end of March.

Jesse Berglund - candidate for District 11A Representative

Berglund is also running for an open seat in 11A, which encompasses northern Pine, Carlton, and part of southern St. Louis County. A native of Cloquet, Berglund works as an attorney and is a Judge Advocate (JAG) attorney in the U.S. Army Reserves. He has served overseas in Kuwait and South Korea, and Afghanistan. A press release from his campaign says he "intends to continue providing a strong voice for the area on middle-class issues at the Legislature in the traditions of the district’s current senator, Tony Lourey, and former representatives for the district, Mary Murphy of Hermantown and Bill Hilty of Finlayson." Berglund faces labor organizer Mike Sundin for the endorsement.

Jim Carlson - DFL candidate for District 51 Senator

Carlson is running to reclaim the Eagan area seat that he held from 2006 to 2010. Endorsed by Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison, Carlson also received the endorsement of Education Minnesota, AFSCME, Take Action Minnesota, and a number of other organizations in his 2010 race for Senate. He faces Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire in a tough battle for the endorsement.